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The effects of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement form, adhesive type and pre-crack width on failure mode, shear capacity, deflection response, CFRP strain response and crack patterns of strengthened specimens were investigated.

This paper presents a geopolymer adhesive that matches the performance requirements of CFRP adhesive, which is applied to pre-cracked beams reinforced with CFRP strips.

For specimens with varying structural properties, two failure modes, the CFRP-concrete interface substrate failure and the fracture failure of CFRP, are observed. Moreover, the shear capacity, ultimate deflection and bending stiffness of the U-shaped CFRP-strengthened beams are enhanced in comparison to the complete-wrapping CFRP-strengthened beams. With an increase in pre-crack width, the increase in shear capacity of RC beams shear-strengthened with CFRP strips is less than that of non-cracked beams, resulting in a limited influence on the stiffness of CFRP-strengthened beams. The comparison of experimental results showed that the proposed finite element model (FEM) effectively evaluated the mechanical characteristics of CFRP-strengthened RC beams.

Taking into consideration the reinforcement effect and the concept of environmental protection, the geopolymer adhesive reinforcement scheme is preferable to applying epoxy resin to the CFRP-strengthened RC beams.

The use of recycled coarse aggregate in concrete structures promotes environmental sustainability; however, performance of these structures might be negatively impacted when it is used as a replacement to traditional aggregate. This paper aims to simulate recycled concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), to advance the modeling and use of recycled concrete structures.

To investigate the performance of beams with recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RCAC), finite element models (FEMs) were developed to simulate 12 preloaded RCAC beams, strengthened with two CFRP strengthening schemes. Details of the modeling are provided including the material models, boundary conditions, applied loads, analysis solver, mesh analysis and computational efficiency.

Using FEM, a parametric study was carried out to assess the influence of CFRP thickness on the strengthening efficiency. The FEM provided results in good agreement with those from the experiments with differences and standard deviation not exceeding 11.1% and 3.1%, respectively. It was found that increasing the CFRP laminate thickness improved the load-carrying capacity of the strengthened beams.

The developed models simulate the preloading and loading up to failure with/without CFRP strengthening for the investigated beams. Moreover, the models were validated against the experimental results of 12 beams in terms of crack pattern as well as load, deflection and strain.

This paper aims to describe carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) bars as a way to strengthen a 40-year-old stone arch bridge. To investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, fielding-load tests were carried out before and after strengthening.

High-strength CFRP bars with minor radius, high tensile strain and good corrosion resistance were used in this reinforcement. The construction process for strengthening with CFRP bars – including CFRP bars cutting, crack grouting, original structural surface treatment, implant drilling, CFRP bars installation and pouring mortar – was described. Ultimate bearing capacity of the bridge after strengthening was discussed.

The results of concrete stress and deflection show that the strength and stiffness of the strengthened bridge are improved. The strengthened way with CFRP bars is feasible and effective.

This paper describes CFRP bars as a way to strengthen a 40-year-old stone arch bridge.

This paper aims to present nonlinear numerical simulations using the versatile finite element (FE) analysis tool ANSYS and theoretical analysis based on code provisions to assess the load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams under two-point monotonic static loadings.

Four quarter-size FE models with load and geometry symmetry conditions were constructed, the load-bearing capacity and associated mid-span deflections at critical points are verified against the full-scale experimental RC beams available in the literature. These developed FE models incorporated the tension stiffening effects and bond–slip behaviour. Theoretical analyses based on Indian standard code IS: 456–2000 and ACI 318–19 were also carried to verify the experimental and numerical predicted moments at critical loading points.

The load-deflection curves predicted through FE models exhibit closer corroboration with the experimental curves throughout the loading history. The contour plots for deflections, concrete principal stresses, reinforcement yield stresses are satisfactorily predicted by the FE models, which reveal the complete information of nonlinear behaviour of RC beams. The developed model well captured the initial and progressive crack patterns at each load increments.

The FE modelling is an efficient, valid and economical tool that is an alternative to the expensive experimental program and can be used to explore, analyse and fully understand the nonlinear response of RC beams under static loadings.

The ultimate moment capacity evaluated based on ACI 318–19 code provision show a better correlation with the experimental data as compared to the IS: 456–2000 code provision. The ultimate loads and associated centre-span deflections predicted by RN-2, RN-3, RB-12 and RB-16 FE model show a discrepancy of 1.66 and –0.49%, –4.68 and –0.60%, –9.38 and –14.53% and –4.37 and 4.21%, respectively, against the experimental results, which reveals that the developed ANSYS FE models predict consistent results and achieved a reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

This paper aims to investigate the experimental behavior and the reliability of concrete columns repaired using fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) under axial compression loading. The expression of the ultimate axial resistance was assessed from the experimental data of damaged concrete cylinders repaired by externally bonded double-FRP spiral strips.

The tested columns bearing capacity mainly depends of the elasticity modulus of both damaged and undamaged concrete have been considered in addition to the applied load and the cylinder diameter as random variables in the expression of the failure criterion. The reliability indicators were assessed using first order second moment method.

The emphasized test results, statistically fitted show that the strength has been retrofitted for all repaired specimens whatever the degree of initial damage. However, the gain in axial strength is inversely proportional to the degree of damage.

The efficiency of a new FRP repair procedure using double-spiral strips was studied. This research provides a technical and economical solution for retrofitting existing concrete columns. Finally, the random character of the variables that govern the studied system shows the accuracy and safety of the proposed original design.

This research paper aims to investigate reinforced concrete (RC) walls' behaviour under fire and identify the thermal and mechanical factors that affect their performance.

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model is developed to predict the response of RC walls under fire and is validated through experimental tests on RC wall specimens subjected to fire conditions. The numerical model incorporates temperature-dependent properties of the constituent materials. Moreover, the validated model was used in a parametric study to inspect the effect of the fire scenario, reinforcement concrete cover, reinforcement ratio and configuration, and wall thickness on the thermal and structural behaviour of the walls subjected to fire.

The developed 3D FE model successfully predicted the response of experimentally tested RC walls under fire conditions. Results showed that the fire resistance of the walls was highly compromised under hydrocarbon fire. In addition, the minimum wall thickness specified by EC2 may not be sufficient to achieve the desired fire resistance under considered fire scenarios.

There is limited research on the performance of RC walls exposed to fire scenarios. The study contributed to the current state-of-the-art research on the behaviour of RC walls of different concrete types exposed to fire loading, and it also identified the factors affecting the fire resistance of RC walls. This guides the consideration and optimisation of design parameters to improve RC walls performance in the event of a fire.

The purpose of this study is to ensure the safe use of carbon fiber composite pressure vessels in the nuclear industry environment.

This study investigated the degradation behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRP) using the specific corrosive media HF solution, with a focus on the damage to the surface epoxy layer. The degradation behaviors of CFRP in HF solution were examined by electrochemical methods and surface characterization, using HCl, NaCl and NaF solution for comparison.

The results showed that the specimen in HF solution will have a value of |Z|_0.01 Hz one order of magnitude lower, a substantially lower contact angle, more breakage of the surface epoxy and the stronger O─H peak and weaker C─O─C peak in the Fourier transform infrared spectrum, indicating severe hydrolytic damage to the surface epoxy.

The work focuses on the degradation damage to CFRP surface epoxy by specific corrosive media HF.

The combination of an Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) layer and steel plate to reinforce RC beams (ESRB) is a new strengthening method. The ESRB was proposed based on the steel plate at the bottom of RC beams, aiming to solve the problem of over-reinforced RC beams and improve the bearing capacity of RC beams without affecting their ductility.

In this paper, the finite element model of ESRB was established by ABAQUS. The results were compared with the experimental results of ESRB in previous studies and the reliability of the finite element model was verified. On this basis, parameters such as the width of the steel plate, thickness of the ECC layer, damage degree of the original beam and cross-sectional area of longitudinal tensile rebar were analyzed by the verified finite element model. Based on the load–deflection curve of ESRB, ESRB was discussed in terms of ultimate bearing capacity and ductility.

The results demonstrate that when the width of the steel plate increases, the ultimate load of ESRB increases to 133.22 kN by 11.58% as well as the ductility index increases to 2.39. With the increase of the damage degree of the original beam, the ultimate load of ESRB decreases by 23.7%–91.09 kN and the ductility index decreases to 1.90. With the enhancement of the cross-sectional area of longitudinal tensile rebar, the ultimate bearing capacity of ESRB increases to 126.75 kN by 6.2% and the ductility index elevates to 2.30. Finally, a calculation model for predicting the flexural capacity of ESRB is proposed. The calculated results of the model are in line with the experimental results.

Based on the comparative analysis of the test results and numerical simulation results of 11 test beams, this investigation verified the accuracy and reliability of the finite element simulation from the aspects of load–deflection curve, characteristic load and failure mode. Furthermore, based on load–deflection curve, the effects of steel plate width, ECC layer thickness, damage degree of the original beam and cross-sectional area of longitudinal tensile rebar on the ultimate bearing capacity and ductility of ESRB were discussed. Finally, a simplified method was put forward to further verify the effectiveness of ESRB through analytical calculation.